Spotlight: Rush

Rush

Penelope Rivers

Genre: Gay Werewolf, M/M PNR

Publisher: ARe Books

Date of Publication:  July 1, 2015

ISBN: 9781943576142

Word Count: 50,000

Cover Artist: Erin Dameron Hill

Book Description:

Out of desperation and danger comes love. What a rush!

Strapped for cash, Dante Kinnaird agrees to sell a sample of his werewolf DNA to the owner of a security company intent on breeding fierce and fearsome dogs. Dr. Crios Mantzaris Karras III, a brilliant but arrogant scientist, creates the serum and gets on Dante’s last nerve. Dante can’t wait to cash his check and get away from this man.  

Crios’s ego takes more than a beating when his hybrid were-dogs become uncontrollable and terrorize the countryside. Dante knows he must make things right, and puts aside his feelings for Crios as they team up to stop these bloodthirsty monsters.

In the heat of battle, he never expected those feelings to change.

Excerpt:

Two hours later, Dante sat strapped in the chair as Crios ran his fingers over his bare arm, seeking out a vein so he could draw blood. The other man didn't hesitate before thrusting the needle straight into his inner elbow. Dante barely felt the needle dipping into his skin. To him, being prodded was nothing. 

Crios examined the dark crimson liquid that filled the syringe, his eyes gleaming. "Interesting."

"What's interesting?" Blood was blood, after all. 

Crios sighed as if dealing with the questions of the common man was oh-so-exhausting. "Werewolf blood looks the same as human blood."

A grin covered his face before he could stop it. "Did you think that werewolves bleed blue or something?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Blue blood? Whoever heard of such a thing? This is reality, not a comic book." Miffed, Crios shook his head. "I just wasn't sure what to expect. I've never worked with werewolves before, so for all I knew your blood could have had a different consistency and color than a human's."

"I take that to mean you haven't been gene mashing werewolves and animals for long?"

Crios picked up the vial of blood and transplanted it into a metal vat beside him. "No, I haven't. I didn't even know that werewolves existed until Norm shared the truth with me. And even then, I was skeptical until I did the research myself."

"I wonder how Norman discovered werewolves." He reminded himself to ask Norman when he returned from the restroom. Werewolves were a pretty well-kept secret, and for a good reason. If the human population discovered their existence, then their kind would never be left alone. 

Pulling a white cotton ball from his pocket, Crios rolled it between his thin fingers. "Norm told me that he saw a werewolf transform when he was walking home from a bar. After that, he couldn't get thoughts of werewolves out of his mind. He dug around and found out all about them."

Well, it looked like Dante hadn't needed to wait until Norman returned from the restroom to question the man after all. "The werewolf who was seen should have been more careful. Most of my kind tries not to transform in the presence of humans. It'll put us in danger."

"Accidents happen, I guess." Crios shrugged. "Open."

"What?"

"Open your mouth." Crios rolled his eyes. "I have to do a swab."

"Oh." He blinked in surprise before opening his mouth wide. Maybe he was being ridiculous, but he could only pray that his breath didn't stink.

The man ran the cotton swab along his cheek and then opened a plastic bag and put it inside. As Crios laid the bag next to the blood sample, Dante couldn't help but feel mounting curiosity in regards to this brilliant but socially inept person.

"Have you always liked science?" He noted how natural Crios appeared floating around in his lab coat. 

"Science isn't something I like as much as it is something that is in my blood." Crios pushed the glasses further up his nose. "I come from a family of scientists. My mother and grandfather were brilliant chemists. I, however, chose to specialize in a few different scientific fields. I figured that I'm smart enough to work in several different scientific areas at once."

I love how he had to add a little self-plug in there…"You just made it sound as though you don't like science."

"Like I said, science runs in my blood. That's all there is to it. It's not a matter of me liking or disliking it."

"But what's the point spending your life doing something you hate?" He'd rather spend his life trying his best at something he enjoyed even if he was crappy at it. "It sounds like you're setting yourself up for years of pain and misery. I don't know why you'd do that."

"I don't hate science. I just don't particularly like it." Crios stopped talking as his face became the color of a freshly plucked plum. "Why on earth am I talking to you about this? I shouldn't have to defend my life choices to a perfect stranger."

"Sorry."

Crios huffed and pulled another cotton ball from his pocket. "This is why I hate dealing with people. It's always so exhausting."

Other people were exhausting? Dante had once had to run fifty miles in one go, and that had tired him out less than this conversation. "Sorry I'm such a trial."

In response to his jab, Crios said nothing. Zilch. Nada. The guy probably hadn't even noticed his tone. 

"Do you have any family?" He wanted to know how Crios had ended up so much like, well, Crios.

"They're all dead." Not even a smidgeon of emotion crept into Crios's crisp voice. Dante had heard someone become more emotional about a deceased goldfish. 

Still Dante's stomach twisted. "I'm sorry." 

"Don't be. My parents were non-existent in my life even when they were alive." Once again, Crios delivered the earth shattering information with emotional detachment. It was strange that the man blew up over the eggs on his sandwiches, but spoke without remorse about his own dead family. 

"Still, you have to miss them." It would be impossible for him not to. 

"No, I really don't." 

The man had to miss them a little. "Not at all? Oh, come on." 

Annoyance flickered in Crios's steely eyes. "No, I don't. Not at all. Not even in the slightest bit."

The words made Dante fall silent. 

"Open," Crios snapped, prodding his lips with a cotton ball. 

At once, he opened his mouth.

About the Author: 

Penelope Rivers is an erotic novelist of M/M romance novels and short stories. A hopeless dreamer, she spends her day thinking about all things fantasy, romantic and not. It is her view that when you start choking on the occasionally dry bread of life, you need something sinfully delicious to chase it down with. Currently, she lives in Utah with an abnormal amount of pets.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009714120727

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4998872.Penelope_Rivers

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Spotlight: Henry the Gallant and the Warrior

HENRY GALLANT AND THE WARRIOR

by H. Peter Alesso

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

In the 22th Century, the people of the Solar System have banded together against an alien invasion. Unfortunately, they’re losing—badly.

As the only Natural remaining in the genetically engineered officer corps of the United Planet’s fleet, Henry Gallant has unique mental abilities that have proven essential to the defense against the Titan invaders. Nevertheless his fellow officers lack faith in him, and worse, he has angered prominent men by speaking truth to power.

Despite this, Admiral Collingsworth has given him command of the Warrior, the most advanced stealth warship in the UP arsenal, and ordered him to the alien’s main base to spy, intrigue, and disrupt their war capacity. 

Gallant’s mission leads to risky battles and painful choices, but no choice is more personal, or intimate, than the choice to face one’s own death. And for Henry Gallant—a flawed young man in a hopeless situation against overwhelming odds—a dreadful decision looms before him.

He has only one saving grace—he is unafraid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Lieutenant Henry Gallant walked along the cobblestone streets of New Annapolis—head down, mind racing . . . 

My orders say take command of the Warrior immediately . . . but no promotion . . . Why not? 

He pondered the possibilities, but he already knew the answer. Though he had steely gray eyes, a square jaw, and was taller than nearly everyone around him, what distinguished him most was not visible to the naked eye—he was a Natural—born without genetic engineering.

By the time he reached the space elevator, the welcoming breeze of the clear brisk morning had brightened his mood and he fell into line behind the shipyard personnel without complaint. 

Looking up, he marveled; that cable goes into the clouds like an Indian rope trick.

When at last it was his turn, the guard scanned his comm pin against the access manifest.

The portal light blinked red. 

“Pardon, sir. Access denied,” said the grim faced sentry.

“Call the officer of the guard,” demanded Gallant.

The officer of the guard appeared, but was no more inclined to pass Gallant through. He touched the interface panel and made several more entries, but the portal continued to blink red.

“There’s a hold on your access, sir.”

Gallant asked, “A hold?”

“Yes, sir. Your clearance and authorization are in order, but SIA has placed a hold on your travel movements. They want you to report to SIA headquarters, ASAP.”

“I need to go to the shipyard and attend to important business before going to the Solar Intelligence Agency,” clarified Gallant, but even as he said it, he knew it wouldn’t help.

“Sorry, sir. Orders.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a scientist and author specializing in technology innovation, H. Peter Alesso has over twenty years research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As Engineering Group Leader at LLNL he led a team of scientists and engineers in innovative applications across a wide range of supercomputers, workstations, and networks. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. and served in the U.S. Navy on nuclear submarines before completing an M.S. and an advanced Engineering Degree at M.I.T. He has published several software titles and numerous scientific journal and conference articles, and he is the author/co-author of seven books.

You can visit his Web site at: http://www.hpeteralesso.com/Default.aspx

_______________________________________________

Author Social Media:

Author Web site at: http://www.hpeteralesso.com/Default.aspx

Goodreads Address: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/413852.H_Peter_Alesso

YouTube trailer for Henry Gallant Saga: SciFi Book Trailer: Midshipman Henry Gallant

Facebook for Henry Gallant Saga: https://www.facebook.com/MidshipmanHenryGallantInSpace

  

Amazon link for Volume 1 of the Henry Gallant Saga: http://www.amazon.com/Midshipman-Henry-Gallant-Space-Volume/dp/1482640325/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VY6C34A

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Spotlight: Fire's Field

Fire’s Field 

The Elementals Series 

Book 2 

Jillian Jacobs

Book Description:

Bound by a dark enchantment, only an elemental flame can light the way.

Vengeance

Forged in rage and sorrow, a dark witch’s spell travels down her ancestral line to Violet Levina. Enchanted with the power of the entire Electromagnetic spectrum—microwaves, gamma rays, radio waves, Violet is cursed with limitless energy and the obligation to destroy an insidious creature composed of dark matter.

Justice

For over five hundred years, Flint has served as Fire, aiding Earth’s environment and its people as one of four Elementals. Yet only once in his long existence has he been burned. A flaming redhead ignites the embers of his heart, but he finds her resistant to the heat building between them. 

Illumination

Knowing she must fulfill her destiny, Violet travels to her ancestral home in Ireland, accompanied by the fiery Elemental. Not fooled by his charms and brazen demeanor, Violet wishes only to shield him from the coming battle, but can’t deny the flames of desire flickering when she is at his side.

Love

While standing together against unrelenting adversaries, false friends, family betrayals, and an underlying seed of darkness, they must burn bright or the ruthless power behind the ancient spell will turn everything to ash.

With Flint as her beacon in a field of darkness, Violet will discover that love holds the most powerful magic of all. 

Fire’s Field Prologue Excerpt: 

They were coming for her.

On the eve of her mother’s 25th birthday, a young witch fought back chills as the sounds of braying bloodhounds echoed through the forest. A single red stroke, mixed with the faintest purple, lit the darkening sky, as night, along with death, crept closer. 

At the banks of River Nore, Sorcha rocked back and forth, tears of innocence-lost escaping down her cheeks. Heart splintering, she searched her memory for a spell to ease her mother’s torment. With her hands locked in the fabric of her mother’s woolen dress, she chanted pleas to the Goddess Isis to hear her cries and heal her mother.

To no avail.

The only answer came in the form of the demon’s sickness dripping from her mother’s mouth in a sludge of grimy gray mud. 

Fear unlike anything she’d ever felt iced her heart, as once more she begged, swore her very life in exchange for the continued beat of her mother’s heart.

A piercing pain shot through her overburdened mind as the beast fought to break through her mental shields. Weakened by her angst and un-tested youth, she left a crack exposed, and the beast slipped in. Squinting her eyes closed, her entire body shaking with the will to deny the sick beast entrance, she couldn’t prevent his foul words from seeping through. 

“Your mother paid for her defiance, for her inability to accept this gift only I could give her. Look at you simpering and shaking, if you weren’t so weak I’d use you, but no matter, I’ll be back.” 

Drained from holding back the tempest, Sorcha let loose true sobs for the loss of the deepest love of her life, her solid fortress during every storm, the lyrical voice singing away her nightmares. Ignoring her drenched skirts, she released all her torment against her mother’s breast, barely catching the beat of her mother’s weakening heart between each aching moan torn from the depths of her soul.

No one came to her aid. No one soothed her broken spirit. 

The sounds of the hounds drew closer, their howls a mad cacophony in her surreal world. The yellow-glow from fire-tipped sticks, created a mystical glow in the woods before her. Snaps and cracks of branches reverberated across the forest as the frenzied townspeople advanced to accuse and convict one of their own—a witch.

Buy Links:  Amazon  ARE  iBooks/Smash  B&N  Kobo

About the Author:

In the spring of 2013, Jillian Jacobs changed her career path and became a romance writer. After reading for years, she figured writing a romance would be quick and easy. Nope! With the guidance of the Indiana Romance Writers of America chapter, she’s learned there are many "rules" to writing a proper romance. Being re-schooled has been an interesting journey, and she hopes the best trails are yet to be traveled.

Water’s Threshold, the first in Jillian’s Elementals series, was a finalist in Chicago-North’s 2014 Fire and Ice contest in the Women’s Fiction category.

Jillian is a: Tea Guzzler, Polish Pottery Hoarder, and lover of all things Moose.

The genres she writes under are: Paranormal and Contemporary with suspenseful elements.

Website: www.jillianjacobs.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenMooseProd 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jillian-Jacobs/737689872920933

Spotlight: Unleash the Undead

Unleash the Undead

compiled by Samie Sands

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Delve into the horrifying world of the zombie apocalypse, as bought to you by the following authors and artists: J.L.Drake, Marina Hume, Matías Andrés Bravo Jara, Ana Prundaru, J.H., Dale Herring, Jonny Graham, Klarissa Del Rossario, Saadia Ammad, Akash Sagar, Rob Shepherd, Rhys Curtis-Thompson, Kayleigh Edwards, Diego Tonini, Lachelle Redd, Victoria Pagac, Noel Osualdini, Glen Holman,  Mathias Jansson, Kyle Flack, Ceri Matthias, Gia Berryman, Max Ferreira, Diana Alexandru, Kevin S. Hall, Art Pic, Zoja Vladisavljevic, B.S. Purwanda and Samie Sands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

I took a deep breath and advanced, using the pack as a shield. The first zombie came at me fast but careless, and bounced harmlessly into the chasm. I took a second to smile before the next one attacked. He broke free of the melee and headed straight for me, moving in a wild spasm. 

I braced myself as his rotten body fell against the pack, pushing me back slightly. His eyes were level with mine, blank and expressionless, yet cold and hate filled. Immediately he bit into the fabric, forcing his head forward. I twisted my arm hard and ripped the teeth from his mouth causing him to release a horrible gurgling shriek, before I planted my foot into his knee and sent him tumbling into the darkness. 

We were close to Black now, a few feet away, I could see him snarling and biting, huge gashes in his body and flaps of skin hanging loose from his bones. Suddenly the pack pulled to the right, and I lost balance. I felt Kaatje grab my shoulders as I looked down. The toothless corpse was hanging from the stone trying to pull itself to safety, one arm grasping the free strap. I stepped back, dragging him up. I pulled out my blade with my free hand.

Something crashed into me hard and I fell backwards into the abyss. I expected to fall forever as I felt gravity’s pull, but came instead to a sudden painful stop, dangling in space, one arm still looped through the pack.

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Spotlight: The Day Before

Title: The Day Before

Author: Liana Brooks

Publisher: Harper Voyage Impulse

Pages: 304

Genre: Thriller

Format: Kindle

A body is found in the Alabama wilderness. The question is:

Is it a human corpse … or is it just a piece of discarded property?

Agent Samantha Rose has been exiled to a backwater assignment for the Commonwealth Bureau of Investigation, a death knell for her career. But then Sam catches a break—a murder—that could give her the boost she needs to get her life back on track. There’s a snag, though: the body is a clone, and technically that means it’s not a homicide. And yet, something about the body raises questions, not only for her, but for coroner Linsey Mackenzie.

The more they dig, the more they realize nothing about this case is what it seems … and for Sam, nothing about Mac is what it seems, either.

This case might be the way out for her, but that way could be in a bodybag.

A thrilling new mystery from Liana Brooks, The Day Before will have you looking over your shoulder and questioning what it means to be human.

Author Bio:

I was born in San Diego. I’ve lived in Chicago, Denver, Florida, Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Kansas.  Mother always said there was a touch of gypsy in the blood. I write science fiction and SFR in a variety of forms. Sometimes I dabble in comic fantasy. I have a superhero romance series with Breathless Press and am represented by Marlene Stringer of Stringer Literary Agency.

For More Information

Visit Liana at her website

Spotlight: Three Wishes

Three Wishes

Debra Dunbar

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Anessa Books

Date of Publication: March 7, 2015

ISBN: 978-1505671193

ASIN: B00RKE5608

Number of pages: 229

Word Count: 79,000

Cover Artist: Phatpuppy Art

Book Description:

Dar helped his foster sister become the ruler of Hel, and helped her free the enslaved humans from the elves. It’s about time he helped himself – to a fun week of mayhem in the Windy City. Collapsing a few buildings and corrupting politicians is an ideal vacation for a demon in Chicago, but Dar didn’t count on a beautiful angel sabotaging his fun and putting him to work. 

Asta is an angelic enforcer, scanning for demons in her assigned territory and sending them to an early grave. Unfortunately, the latest trespasser from Hel has diplomatic immunity - but immunity doesn’t mean she can’t coerce him into helping her track and dispatch the powerful demon that’s been cycling in and out of her radar for the last few days. 

Demons are the sworn enemies of every angel, but Asta must learn to trust Dar or the dark presence that is growing in Chicago will spread - and this particular enemy has the skills and knowledge to send human civilization back to the dark ages.

She has one week left as an enforcer before she returns to her heavenly home – one week to catch an elusive monster, and one week to safeguard her heart from the demon who is determined to seduce her to sin.

Available at   Amazon     iTunes

Excerpt 3

She gave him a watery smile.  “And flying?  I’m sure you fly all the time, since you have immunity and don’t need to fear death at the hand of us angels.”

Don’t look down, don’t look down.

“Uhhh, I don’t fly.”

The angel’s eyes widened.  “You don’t fly?  I know you all lost your wings in the Fall, but I thought you could still manifest those leathery bat-type wings.  What do you mean; you don’t fly?”

“I . . . we . . . .” Dar made the mistake of looking down and felt himself break out in a sweat, his hands white knuckled as he gripped the rim of the roof.  “Not all demons can manifest wings.  I can’t. I don’t fly.”

Silence fell, and Dar felt her pity.  It grated on him like sandpaper.  “I don’t want to fly.  It’s not my thing.  I’m a rat.  I like it underground in caves and tunnels.  The air isn’t my thing.”

As soon as he’d said the words, a lump settled in his throat.  She was an angel with an affinity for air, and he couldn’t fly — wouldn’t fly.  The very thought of it sent chills down his spine.

“I’ll fly you.  You need to experience it, even if just this once.  If you don’t like it, that’s fine — you don’t ever have to do it again.”

Dar tensed, his hands gripping the ledge of the roof so hard he feared it would crumble in his grasp. A hand touched his shoulder, and he jumped with an involuntary reflex.

“Trust me.  I won’t let anything happen to you, I swear.  Trust me.” Her mouth turned up in the most adorable smile ever. “I’ve trusted you these last few days.  It’s your turn.”

The demon drew a shaky breath.  It was as good a day to die as any. “Okay.  Just a short flight.”

He glanced over and saw the warm approval in her face.  Moonlight and some inner glow lit her like a beacon in the night.  Golden brown.  Everything about her was like a warm loaf of bread right out of the oven.  Maybe he was wrong.  Maybe she’d drop him from a thousand feet up, or drown him in Lake Michigan.  It didn’t matter, because he was lost in the beautiful joy shining from her dark eyes.

“I’ll even fly you in your rat form.  How’s that?  Both of us conquering our fears at the same time.”

Who says I’m afraid?  It’s what Dar wanted to say, but instead something totally different came out. “Right.  You’ll be more likely to panic and drop me as a rat than as a demon.  I know how you feel about rodents.”

The brown eyes widened then Asta threw back her head and laughed.  It was a deep, smoky, musical laugh, and Dar felt his hands loosen on the roof ledge.

“I swear on my eternal soul that I will not drop you.”  The angel’s eyes grew soft.  Dar could have sworn he saw something in them that was more than affection.  “I will never let you go, Dar, no matter how red your beady eyes are, or how your whiskery nose twitches, or how much your sharp claws dig into my skin.  I will never let you go.”

Dar took a deep breath and stood.  “I can’t promise I won’t puke on you.”

Asta rose, huge wings of brown and gold extending full-width from her back.  “Vomit is not included in this excursion.  You puke on my shirt and you’re going for a swim.”

About the Author 

After majoring in English with a concentration in Medieval Literature and Folklore studies, Debra promptly sold out to the corporate world, occasionally writing marketing copy and op/ed articles for a local city paper. By day, she designs compensation programs, after dark she stuffs her nose into obscure mythology, and feverishly writes her novels. A DEMON BOUND is her debut novel. 

Debra lives on a farm in Maryland with Sweetie, three sons, and a Noah's ark of four legged family members. She drives an old PT Cruiser, couldn't carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground. Her only known super power is 'Identify Roadkill'.

http://debradunbar.com

https://www.facebook.com/DebraDunbarauthor

https://twitter.com/debra_dunbar

https://www.goodreads.com/DebraDunbar

Spotlight: The Curse of Mary

The Curse of Mary by NicolaJayne Taylor

Published January 27, 2015 by Vamptasy Publishing

GOODREADS   AMAZON   BARNES & NOBLE

Author Bio:

A British gothic erotic horror author who has a taste for history, graphic and passionate scene and detail. Quick terrifying tension that makes you squirm in anticipation for her characters and their adventures. Spookery that will make you think twice about turning out the light... Come and join the darkest word and lose yourself to her seductive Villains.

My name is Nicolajayne Taylor. Friends call me Enjay as a nickname. I was born in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire in 1981 and grew up on the Merseyside coast in Southport. I later moved to Blackburn when my mother became ill and needed a carer, I also turned my hand back to writing as it has always been a favourite hobby of mine. My mother died at the beginning of 2014 and she always wanted me to be a writer. I am honouring her dreams for me and have become a full time writer. (Goodreads)

FACEBOOK   TWITTER   BLOG   GOOGLE+   YOUTUBE

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Spotlight: The Mirrored Room

The Mirrored Room by Anthony Crowley

Self Published January 20, 2015 

Synopsis- 

Simon Kessler, is a reality television Psychic about to embark on the biggest show of his career. But eventually learns that he has been living in denial since the murder of his true love, Isabelle.

Gradually he discovers a secret conspiracy which has been undiscovered for many years. This is a story of deception, lies, and betrayal of the untold truth of Simon Kessler's life as he begins to learn more about himself, and the dark magickal past of his friends and family.

Excerpt:

CHAPTER 1

As wind swept through the midst of the midnight hour, with only a sound of rattling trash cans and cats that prowl Denver street nearly every night, an echo of footsteps began from the corner of the street, as if someone was about to run to catch the last train home. Out of the shadow, from a distance, a figure in black panted like a tired dog with his leather gloved hand shifting through a dark trouser leg pocket, as if seeking some money. A blood-stained blade appeared, however, while a hellish scream kissed the night in a tormented moment of glory. The slim-looking shadow of a man began to laugh while shining his blood-stained weapon.

‘What just happened? I cannot believe I just had another nightmare! It’s always the same. Damn! I’ve got to get ready for another day at the studio.’ Said Simon Kessler.

Simon had an athletic physique and stood about six feet tall. He wore his blonde hair short and enjoyed a very good complexion. He took pride in his appearance at all times, but he was also a man on a very important mission, especially during his Television broadcasts as a Psychic communicating with deceased relatives of his audience. Two hours away from the five hundredth broadcasted live to a majority of cities, Simon Kessler had his work cut out for a special show with the afterlife. He wanted to express to his audience how well he could do his job. As Simon woke, disturbed by another dream, his face appeared pale as the moon, as if he had slept rough on the sinister streets.

‘Is that the time? I only have an hour to get ready and to show the population how good I can do this!’

He dragged himself out of bed and he went to the bathroom to freshen up for the forthcoming event. Simon donned his favourite pinstripe suit and his shiny, carvela shoes. He looked like a member of the Sicilian mafia.

‘These shoes look very familiar,’ he said as he began searching within his suit pocket for his business diary. Eventually he got himself together to go to work and headed directly into his kitchen for a quick fix of Oreo biscuits and tropical juice. He was starting to panic because he did not want to miss the  event deadline. He was quickly drinking the fruit juice when the glass slid out of his grip and shattered on the floor with a deafening impact.

‘Shit! I’ll clean that up later,’ he said while he shuffled in his pocket for his wagon keys.

A bit nervous of what might become of him after the show, he popped the lid from a bottle of anti-depressants given to him by his Manager/Agent, Mr.Jack Hodges. In his car, and about to rev up his engine, he startled when his phone began to ring. It was his Manager.

He instantly answered his phone,

‘Simon, where are you? This is your special moment, so please get your ass over here to make history!’ said Mr.Jack Hodges whom was always impatient and thought he was above most in his profession of reality television media.

‘I would be halfway there if you didn’t keep pestering me. See you shortly, Jack.’ Said Simon in a hurried voice, while he began his short journey to the Television Studios.

 On his way, he felt a little drowsy due to the anti-depressant tablets he had taken, and they also gave him a frequent food craving. He decided to stop by at Duquette’s French café for a quick sandwich of his favourite, a cheese and red onion chutney on wholemeal bread. He slapped his face to keep awake.

‘Stay awake. Not long to go now, and it will soon be over.’  He said, giving himself some relief. Within a matter of minutes, he reached the studios. He carried a good luck charm which he kept close to his chest pocket daily and kissed it every morning without fail. The charm was given to him by his spiritual guru and friend. Finally, Simon arrived and wanted to park his wagon near the entrance of the studio complex. The building was of an enormous structure, dome-shaped with a huge metal framework that resembled a dungeon. Atop the building was a sign large enough to be seen for miles. It read ‘Spectrum Network Communications Centre’. The fact that the car park was in total gridlock and the centre’s futuristic and alien-like appearance made Simon more nervous than ever. Huge revolving doors allowed him to see a modernised shopping centre, and an ornamental water fountain with a statue of Nostradamus whom was an ancient Prophet from a region of France. By the revolving doors, Jack Hodges walked back and forth at a brisk pace, making a call on his cell phone. Simon waved at Jack, trying very hard to grab his attention. When this didn’t work, Simon, whose mission was to satisfy his audience and make a very good impression, started to shout at Jack.

‘Hey! I’m here!’

When Jack finally took notice, he turned his phone off.

‘At last, you are here. You haven’t been taking pills again? We haven’t got long before the show begins. Oh, by the way, a woman rang the office asking for you’

Simon wondered who wanted to make contact at short notice.

‘Did she leave any details or say what she wanted?’

‘I told her to ring back when you’re not too busy and told her you’re a very important person,’ said Jack in a jealous tone. While meditating before the show, Simon began to hear voices in his head of a strong, surreal nature. The atmosphere surrounding him grew very cold and isolated, like he wasn’t alone anymore in the dressing room. Someone or something was sharing his private space with him. The room temperature was dropping at an alarming rate, and he felt more isolated than he ever had before. Being a Psychic had its advantages, but sharing his own emotions and privacy was a totally different matter, especially for him. Was it a sign from someone who had been close to him and who was trying to escape the wrong kind of spiritual path? But who? Simon continued to meditate, or at least tried to. A clear vision appeared of a silhouette- a female with long silk-like wings who stood motionless yet drawn into a pool of blood, like an Angel sinking into a swamp of evil, unnatural thoughts. Simon considered that the vision could be two spirits from the afterlife, one good and one evil, attempting to communicate with him, to send him a message of some great importance. But the time had arrived for his special show. How could he fully concentrate after such an episode? His heart pounded at a catastrophic rate while he clicked the well-manicured nails of his fidgeting hands. The time had come from Simon Kessler to enter the arena. He was like  a Roman Gladiator entering a stadium with a pack of lions, but there wasn’t a lion in sigh- just well-respected people who paid good money to see their favourite Television Psychic on this special anniversary. A cameraman counted down the seconds to broadcast time, ‘Three, two, one, and action-!’

Simon began introducing the show.

‘Hi there, and welcome to a special episode of ‘The Afterlife with Simon Kessler-‘

He perused the audience while his manager wore a pessimistic frown, as usual, behind the arena curtain like a scared child being punished. 

Biography

Anthony Crowley (born 1979, Birmingham in U.K). From a young age of 6, Anthony began to take an interest in English literature and Poetry from an early childhood.Then throughout his teenage years he studied music and achieving song-writing skills,whilst still creating his visions. He also achieved a diploma in creative writing with a college located in Oxford,England. Anthony has also written short stories for student newsletters,horror monthly's and appears on the 'A LIST' of the IDPA (International Directory of Published Authors), NFAA (Non Fiction Authors Association). The present day Anthony Crowley is also a featured contributor to 'Haunted after Dark' with his very own dark haven of 'Crowley's Crypt' and has written many works of literature & poetry for publications such as Massacre Magazine,The Horror Zine, Sanitarium magazine, HelloHorror, Sub-Verse and Fiction Terrifica. Anthony Crowley has also appeared as an official Judge for the 'British Horror Film Festival 2014' and recently his forthcoming anthology of Horror tales 'Doomsday After Midnight' is nominated at the 'AuthorsdB' BOOK AWARDS 2014. The dark verse of 'The Fallen Angel' featured in Sanitarium Magazine,issue 14. The work itself was mentioned via a live radio podcast on the evening of Halloween 2013. The Devils Foot Soldier' was another dark verse which was inspired by the 'Slasher Icon' movie of 2011 'The Orphan Killer' which was positively recognised by the movies creators and the written piece is now featured at American based Blood Born Magazine several more features and frequent media interviews and being ranked as "one of the best Modern Authors in recent years" Horror-Web described him by the following statement 'Anthony Crowley is one of the most prolific and talented authors of dark prose and poetry During a recent interview on the 'Sinister Scribblings' Mr Crowley has been placed amongst the likes of Poe, Lovecraft and Clarke Ashton Smith. Forthcoming Novella 'The Mirrored Room' was ranked in the 'Semi-Finals' at 'AuthorsdB' Book Awards of 2013,and ranked four times in the 'Top 100' list of popular Authors and not forgetting being a trending Author for many consecutive months and a featured Author on numerous literature and Horror themed websites and more. Presently, Anthony Crowley has published best-selling Horror anthology 'Tombstones' which was described by US Horror podcast show 'The Mouths of Madness' as "Beautiful Dark Prose" and the introduction to a new dark series 'The Black Diaries' which is currently being introduced as a new edition paperback edited by Simon Marshall-Jones (Spectral Press). Anthony Crowley dubbed 'the Master of Realities' is always creating new and exciting projects within the subjects of speculative literature and Horror,Occult and Historic references..Anthony is Currently residing in England.

Interview from Zero-Signal Magazine

I’ve never met Anthony Crowley. We have exchanged messages on FaceBitch and via email but other than what he has posted and what he’s told me I know nothing about him. He does seem to have a dark twist in his creative soul and, of course, that caught my attention. Since I knew so little about him I decided that the best way to learn about him was to conduct an interview. That’s what we have here. My/your/our introduction to Mr. Anthony Crowley; author, poet and musician. 

Jim Dodge) Why should people know the name Anthony Crowley? What are you doing to bring attention to yourself? 

Anthony Crowley) Because I am an entertaining, slightly eccentric connoisseur of horror. Many people can relate to my literature, whether in dark poetic verse or fiction and non-fiction. I am extremely honest as a person; sometimes people say I am too honest. But I believe that is a good thing. It can be a circus out there amongst certain circles. I tend to be my own ringmaster. 

Jim) Besides being a poet and an author, in what other ways are you creative? Anthony) I am also a magazine contributor and very passionate about music and art, photography. Jim) Who/what inspired you to write? 

Anthony) Writing has always been a part of my life. As a child I was inspired initially by my grandfather. Gradually through the years I observed everything around me, whether good and bad times and channeled those energies into my literary escapes. 

Jim) Do you aim for shock value or is your dark side sincere; a reflection of your inner self? 

Anthony) I believe we all have a dark side within us. It is healthy balance to keep us sane. I also believe that if anything is achieved just to gain attention it wouldn’t last. Hard work and confidence achieves the best outcome. 

Jim) You seem to release books pretty rapidly. Are you self-published or do you have a company (or companies) that release your work? 

Anthony) Both. I do self-publish my work and have my work published by companies. 

Jim) Do your books sell well or is this more of a vanity project? 

Anthony) My first release was a short story “The Light of Keeps Passage”, that hardly didn’t sell on release. But when my readers saw and noticed my continued works it changed because with every creative